- Little Penguin Advisory Group to consider penguin conservation efforts
- Group comprising scientists, marine park coordinators, and local representatives to inform conservation actions
The welfare of Western Australia's little penguins on Penguin Island continues to be a priority for the Cook Labor Government with a newly formed independent Little Penguin Advisory Group to support the State Government's existing conservation efforts.
That group - which will be chaired by Western Australian Marine Science Institute CEO Dr Luke Twomey and comprise scientists, marine park coordinators, and local representatives - will be charged with bringing together existing research to inform conservation actions, including identifying and prioritising any knowledge gaps and conservation actions.
This will include review of recent relevant national and international findings and initiatives, consideration of current management activities, existing and emerging pressures, and impacts to little penguin populations in WA.
The group will also identify opportunities for collaboration with external parties, including university researchers, non-government organisations, community members, local government representatives, and interstate land managers and scientists.
It will hold its first meeting in January 2025 and will report back to the Director General of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) by December 2025.
The newly formed group supports a range of efforts by the State Government to protect Penguin Island, where research shows the major factor in the decline of the island's penguin population has likely been a reduction in food sources due to warming sea temperatures.
These initiatives have included:
- extending the island's winter closure period;
- not proceeding with plans to build a new discovery centre on the island; and
- enforcing island closures on days when the temperature is forecast to exceed 35 degrees Celsius.
Elsewhere on the island, the State Government has provided water bowls and nest boxes to the penguins, undertaken weed management and rehabilitation of native vegetation, and enforced an eight-knot vessel speed restriction.
WA is home to several little penguin colonies outside of Penguin Island, including on Garden Island, St Alouarn Island off Cape Leeuwin, and various islands between Albany and east of Esperance.
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"Penguin Island is an iconic attraction of Western Australia.
"The health and wellbeing of its penguins is our top priority, and no other Government in Western Australia's history has done more to protect it than the Cook Labor Government.
"We extended the island's winter closure period, we shelved plans to build a discovery centre on the island, and we close it to visitors on days when the temperature is forecast to exceed 35 degrees Celsius.
"Now, we have formed an independent group to advise the State Government on other ways to continue protecting Western Australia's penguins.
"We know climate change is a serious challenge facing these penguins.
"This group will ensure we are doing everything we can to not only protect Penguin Island's population, but iconic penguin colonies right throughout our State."
As stated by Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall:
"The health and welfare of the penguin population on Penguin Island is of the utmost importance to me.
"Since being elected, I have been working with the Environment Minister, DBCA, local scientists and the City of Rockingham to provide further conservation efforts for our vulnerable little penguins.
"I'm proud of the Cook Labor Government's commitment to the little penguins, and this independent group will help guide further support measures.
"I want to thank the Rockingham community for their advocacy for these penguins."
As stated by City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin:
"The City has an established advocacy position for the formation of an independent Little Penguin Advisory Group and welcomes the Minister's announcement.
"The City has a long association with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and has directly funded expert researchers to conduct regular population studies of the little penguins on Penguin Island since 2013.
"The establishment of this Advisory Group reflects the importance of the conservation of the little penguins at Penguin Island, and the significance of the entire Shoalwater Islands Marine Park to both our local community and visitors.
"Penguin Island remains a very popular destination for international, interstate, and intrastate visitors, and the City looks forward to working closely with the Advisory Group and the State Government for the benefit of the local penguin population and overall Shoalwater Islands Marine Park."
